In the clubs

Wednesday, March 10

PLAN A: Dawes, Cory Chisel & The Wandering Sons, Jason Boesel @ The Loft at UCSD. Sure hope you checked out our Dawes feature in last week’s issue. The L.A. foursome play affecting canyon folk that should appeal to fans of The Byrds and Buffalo Springfield. And with a parallel sound, Cory Chisel and Co. are definitely worth showing up early for. PLAN B: The Silent Comedy, Transfer, Mata Leon @ The Casbah. Two of San Diego’s best local bands will make your humpday before they head off to represent at South by Southwest. Bon voyage, boys. Make us proud. BACKUP PLAN: Sofia Talvik @ Acoustic Music San Diego.

Thursday, March 11

PLAN A: Beaters, Maren Parusel, Wirepony, Jenn Grinels @ Belly Up. If you enjoy what you’ve read so far in our local music issue, why not come to the party we’re throwing to celebrate the release? Four great local acts are playing, including the one for whom we predict the biggest things. Plus, I’ll be there, so if you don’t like what I said about your band in the Great Demo Review, feel free to swing by and tell me. And you’ll help raise money for the San Diego Music Foundation). PLAN B: Tape Deck Mountain, Writer, Primitive Noyes @ Tin Can Ale House. Another great local showcase. Indie-rockers Tape Deck Mountain are getting major blog love (not so much from Pitchfork), and Primitive Noyes was, by far, my favorite demo this year. BACKUP PLAN: Lovvers, Abe Vigoda @ Bar Pink.

Friday, March 12

Joshua Bell with the San Diego Symphony @ Copley Symphony Hall. I saw acclaimed violinist Bell play with Jeremy Denk almost a month ago, and it was insanely good. His performance of Camille Saint-Saëns’ “Sonata No. 1 in D Minor” was life-altering. Now he’s playing with an entire symphony behind him? I can honestly tell you this will be worth the ticket price (which starts at about 20 bucks), but if you’re ballin’ on a budget, then check out… PLAN B: Hotel St. George, Riddim Saunter, Softlightes @ Tin Can Ale House. The electro-pop brainchild of Ron Fountenberry, Softlightes just about stole the show from Anya Marina a few weeks ago. And you must check out Riddim Saunter, because I honestly can’t say that they’ll ever come back again (they’re from Japan, after all). Über-fun and über-catchy pop tunes about love and youth complete with, no shit, a flute player. BACKUP PLAN: Eliza Rickman, Street of Little Girls @ Whistle Stop.

Saturday, March 13

PLAN A: Slow Club, Sleepy Sun @ Bar Pink. I can only hope that Sleepy Sun is headlining this show. It’s San Francisco psychedelic jamming so good that they just about burned the place down last time they played at Bar Pink. And please be quiet for the co-ed harmonies of duo Slow Club. Lush, folky pop bordering on twee from a cutesy British couple. Think of them as Matt & Kim for grownups. PLAN B: The Ruby Suns, Toro Y Moi @ The Loft at UCSD. Speaking of hallucinogens, whatever they’re dropping in Auckland, New Zealand, must be the shit, because The Ruby Suns’ mixture of everything from Brazilian tropicalia to Animal Collective-type atmospherics is all the rage on the Interwebs. And I’m absolutely loving the one-man electro-pop of Toro Y Moi’s debut album. In fact, I defy you to avoid enjoying the single “Blessa.” BACKUP PLAN: The Burning of Rome, Judgement Day, Battlehooch, Boyscout @ Soda Bar.

Sunday, March 14

PLAN A: A Sunny Day in Glasgow, Tropical Depression @ Soda Bar. I’ve been dying to see the headliner for some time now. A revolving cast of musicians from Philly and Sydney, they make a special pop casserole that’s equal parts My Bloody Valentine and Kate Bush—shoegaze with an emphasis on the gazing and lo-fi without the laziness. I hope the live show matches their startling recordings. BACKUP PLAN: Extra Life, Vaginals, Witt, Totally Serious @ Radio Room.

Monday, March 15

PLAN A: Matthew Good, Automatic Loveletter @ The Casbah. I’m not just recommending this show because it’s Monday and it’s slim pickings. I’m actually genuinely enjoying Good’s new album, Vancouver, which sounds like some lost, buried treasure from Jeremy Enigk or Mat Kearney. BACKUP PLAN: The Big Big Bucks, The Syndicate, Colleen, Jisswisards @ Soda Bar.

Tuesday, March 16

PLAN A: Past Lives, Heavy Hawaii, Nude Boy, Jungle Fever @ The Casbah. Post-punks Past Lives is the other Blood Brothers offshoot. The good one. Sorry, Jaguar Love. And I’m really digging the uppity lo-fi noise of local foursome Nude Boy (if you listen carefully, there’s a catchy tune under all that distortion), as well as the sexy female pop-punk of Jungle Fever. BACKUP PLAN: Scott Amendola, Will Blades @ Sushi Performing Arts.